AJ Bell Money & Markets

With all the headlines that have made people worried about their pension we’ve drafted in AJ Bell’s head of retirement policy Tom Selby to talk through it and explain exactly what it means for you. Laura Suter talks to broker David Hollingworth from L&C on what’s happening in the housing market and what you should do if you are in the process of moving or re-mortgaging. Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson discuss the economic volatility surrounding the Bank of England’s bond buying programme. Markets have had plenty to keep them scrambling this year and as we head into earnings season, Danni caught up with Duncan MacInnes at Ruffer, Olivia Geldenhuys at Schroders and Andrew Surrey at Vanguard to ask what they make of 2022 so far. Dan and Danni also pick over the good the bad and the downright ugly from this week’s market movements including why the FTSE 100 has finally succumbed to the malaise that’s been present in most other indices already this year, and why shares in renewable energy-related companies and investment trusts including SSE have been falling. The pair look at some big market moves which have ruffled the semiconductor companies globally and Danni finds a few bright spots with positive updates from Pepsi, Hollywood Bowl and packaging group DS Smith.

Dan Coatsworth talks to Alec Cutler, manager of the Orbis Global Balanced Fund, about the similarities between the 1970s and today (inflation, high energy prices, difficult markets), and what investors might need to do next. Hear from Dan and Laura Suter about why share prices and the pound suddenly perked up, what to expect if you’re getting a new mortgage, and where to find the top savings rates on cash accounts. Discover why shares in Tesla took a pounding, and why Drax is losing ESG fans fast after a damning TV programme about where it sources material to make wood pellets. Hear about the challenges facing Tesco, Greggs and Tortilla Mexican Grill, and Dan talks to stock trader Michael Taylor about why shares in Naked Wines have fallen 90% in 12 months. Finally, Laura has some wise words on how to avoid pension scams.

Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson explore the impact of more weakness in the pound, rising government bond yields and further hikes in interest rates on consumers and businesses in the months ahead. They explore the fierce market reaction to the UK Government’s mini-Budget, why the Bank of England has stepped in to stop gilt yields getting worse, and why the IMF is not best pleased at Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng’s policy decisions. Dan explores the large number of chief executives who have quit FTSE 100 companies this year. And this week’s guest is Joe Bauernfreund who runs the AVI Japan Opportunity Trust. He talks about investing in Japan and how he takes an activist approach as a fund manager.

On this week’s Money and Markets podcast Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson discuss the barrage of bad news that’s been troubling markets even before US and UK central banks hiked rates. Profit warnings have been coming in thick and fast including Hilton Foods, The Hut Group, DFS and the biggie – bellwether stock FedEx, so what can investors expect as we head into another earnings season? They explore the good news for UK businesses that’s come in the form of the government’s six-month energy price cap out today plus they ask if travel stocks have finally turned a corner after an upbeat update from TUI. With one of the most pressing issues being discussed in boardrooms today being how to save money, Dan catches up with Jonathan Maxwell, the manager of the SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust. He runs an investment trust that puts money into projects that not only save companies a few quid, but also help the environment. With leaks about the new chancellors “mini-budget” coming in thick and fast, Danni looks at the boost house builders like Persimmon and Redrow have been getting from speculation that there could be intervention on stamp duty. And as one of the city’s most controversial characters backing away from the board of Frasers Group, Danni and Dan discuss the career and legacy of Sports Direct Founder Mike Ashley.

This week we look at the latest inflation update and how markets reacted to that surprise dip, and preview next week’s big economic announcements. We also cover the news that renowned investor Terry Smith is closing the emerging markets fund he launched eight years ago. Tom Selby is on to talk about the great ‘un-retirement’ of over-65s returning to work after the exodus during covid. And Dan Coatsworth talks to Morgane Delledonne from Global X on ways to invest in cybersecurity, as more companies look to protect themselves from hacking. Elsewhere, with savers finally getting a better return on their money, Laura Suter has some news for people who want to save in a green way. But she also shares a warning: that the extra interest savers are earning might come with an unexpected tax hit.

The podcast returns from the summer break with special guest Lawrence Burns, deputy manager of Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust. He reveals to Danni Hewson the lessons learned from previous experiences in China, why Moderna has become a big portfolio holding, and his views on the current state of the market. Dan Coatsworth runs through the market reaction to Liz Truss becoming UK Prime Minister and why retail stocks enjoyed a big bounce on the day. He also explains why one investment bank says H&M could be a big loser in a recession and why JD Sports could be a winner. Best buy cash savings accounts are now offering interest rates comparable to the yield on the FTSE 100 stock index, meaning investors might start to look more closely at shares offering above-average yields. Steve Frazer chats about the top yielding stocks on the UK market, why some of their income streams are unsustainable, while Dan runs through the golden rules to follow with dividends. Danni has a great story about how it might be cheaper to go on a cruise than stay at home. She also has some good news for anyone who lives in a more remote location that lacks banking facilities.

This week we’re delving into those BP results that have caused so much debate. Plus Russ Mould joins us to look at share buybacks and dividends across the FTSE 100, as the oil giant announced another round of buybacks and a hike to its dividend. Also this week, Laith Khalaf studies the figures from UK banks in the face of the cost of living crisis, following a wave of second-quarter results in the sector. Which leads us neatly onto some startling new data Laura Suter has about how households are coping financially with the cost of living crisis. We also look at the risk of recession in the US, after data showed the economy has shrunk again. Elsewhere, we’re talking about a big change the regulator has made to the way financial services work in the UK, with our pensions and regulation guru Tom Selby on to discuss what that means for investors. And just a note that after this episode, the podcast will be on summer break until September. So we’ll see you in a month!

On this week’s Money and Markets podcast, Laura Suter and Danni Hewson discuss earnings season as it kicks into high gear. They sift through winners including McDonalds, Coca Cola and Unilever, and losers including Walmart – whose profit warning sent a shock through the US and UK retail sector. They also look at upcoming rate rises, which are forming an important backdrop to inflation-wary company outlooks. Also this week, Ryan Hughes from AJ Bell’s investment team takes a look at why bond markets haven’t been performing well. Bonds aren’t necessarily the sexiest corner of investing – but with predictions of a potential recession mounting, and markets becoming more volatile, people might be seeking more safe-haven assets. Elsewhere, Laith Khalaf, our head of investment analysis, digs into an age-old question. During tricky market times is it better to invest with a human fund manager who makes stock picks for you, or a tracker that rides the market’s ups and downs? Finally, Dan Coatsworth meets up with Jeremy Rogers from the Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust, set up two years ago with the goal of helping society and making money for investors. He asks where the trust is deploying its money, and what investors might expect from it in the future.

On this week’s Money and Markets, Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson brave the heat not only of the UK weather, but UK inflation too. With CPI coming in over expectation at 9.4%, they sum up how markets are reacting, and discuss where interest rates could sit by the end of the year. With rising costs causing issues for companies, they also dig into a new report showing a 66% increase in profit warnings from UK listed companies in the first half of 2022 – including Direct Line and Made.com. Earnings season is in full swing, and inflation’s colouring everything from the big GSK spin-off Haleon to another dip in subscriber numbers for Netflix – though with its fall smaller than expected, investors were pleasantly surprised. Also, employee pay is the only game in town – with warnings that a summer of discontent is on the cards, as more unions ballot on strike action. Plus, commercial property is meant to be one of the ultimate inflation-protected investments – meaning lots of investors might be thinking about diving into the market at the moment. Laura caught up with Roger Clarke, from property stock exchange IPSX, to see how the market has rebounded post pandemic and whether that inflation-protection is going to hold true in the coming year.

Potential returns on cash savings accounts are now much more interesting, so don’t miss this episode of the Money & Markets podcast to find out the best deals around. Dan Coatsworth talks to Duncan MacInnes about how Ruffer Investment Company not only bucked the negative market trend in the first half of 2022 but also generated positive returns for investors. MacInnes explains why he believes the bear market isn’t over yet and how gold is an ‘unreliable girlfriend’. Discover why falling commodity prices could mark the turning point in the inflation story, and how shares in the big mining companies have lost all the gains made earlier this year. Rising energy costs are changing the way we spend money, and Laura Suter looks at the latest spending habits and what might come next.

This week Laura Suter and Danni Hewson bring you an update on the economic fallout from this week’s turmoil in Westminster, looking at various warnings from the Bank of England and the pound’s fall. We delve into what the new Chancellor might tackle in his economic update next week, after Nadhim Zahawi committed himself as a tax cutting chancellor. In the markets news we’ve got the latest updates and rows from supermarkets, some positive news from food delivery companies JustEat and Grubhub and an update on US/China tariff war. And Dan Coatsworth has been chatting to fund manager Laura Foll, who helps run Lowland, Henderson Opportunities Trust and Law Debenture investment trusts, all about the outlook for UK banks, which are much loved by many investors.

On this week’s Money & Markets podcast Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson take a look at what has been another bumpy week for markets with a commodities rally not able to deliver the big market comeback some investors had been rather hoping for. They look at what’s behind the defence stock bounce, boosting the likes of BAE Systems and Rolls Royce and how utility companies like SSE have responded to Ofgem’s new distribution price control proposals. Plus, Dan is chatting to the Fund manager of Odyssean, one of the few investment trusts not to have lost a lot of money this year, and on the menu are Chemring, Videndum, Stabilus and Spire Healthcare. There is also a new boss for Whitbread, and we discuss why the battle for high street chemist Boots ended with it being taken off the market by US owner WBA, for now. With a drop in scratch card sales, we also look at why the government’s green savings bond has flopped and Tom Selby brings us up to date on plans for the pension triple lock.

This week’s podcast has plenty of useful tips for managing your money, as well as important insight into what’s happening on stock markets and with cryptocurrencies. Dan Coatsworth explains why Primark’s click and collect trial is important news for anyone owning shares in Associated British Foods. He also explores the latest wave of takeovers on the UK stock market and why they aren’t necessarily reasons to be cheerful. Dan also reveals why one fund manager thinks now’s the time to sell shares in oil producer Shell. Also, Laura Suter explains the latest developments in the buy now, pay later space, and discusses some of the most useful budgeting tools to help get your finances in shape. Finally, Tom Selby is on the show to discuss the key points someone in their mid-60s should consider before dipping into their pension

On this week’s money and markets podcast Danni Hewson and Tom Sieber from Shares magazine discuss market jitters ahead of the Fed’s latest rate rise. Plus big questions for the bank of England to process as job vacancies continue to soar and inflation takes a chunk out of wage growth. Tom Selby AJ Bell’s head of retirement policy looks at the impact the global meltdown’s having on pensions and how soaring inflation combined with market falls risk having dramatic impact on the retirement prospects of savers in drawdown. Dan Coatsworth has been talking to Ayush Abhijeet who helps to manage the Ashoka India investment trust about what patient investors can get out of India and sticking with global markets Danni and Tom discuss why Netflix has pinned its hopes on a Squid Games reality show and how a Korean boyband made Asian markets tremble. All that and a mad money story with Jenny Owen about a late library fee that’s topped six thousand pounds.

On this week’s Money and Markets, Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson canter through the market movements over the last week – which, despite being shorter thanks to the Jubilee bank holiday, was no less eventual. They look at market reaction to all the political intrigue at Westminster, and assess how the travel sector is faring after disappointment and disarray at UK airports over the half-term break. There’s been another flurry of merger and acquisition activity – from the bid for bin business Biffa, to disappointment for Ted Baker after its preferred bidder walked away. Dan digs into Apple’s moves to enter the buy now pay later space, and Danni has yet another Twitter update, with Elon Musk indicating he’s serious about walking away from the deal. Also, Laura Suter’s finds out when you should get a will and how to go about it, chatting with partner at Taylor Bracewell solicitors, Lauren Smith, about why so many people put it off. And as the price of filling up the tank of a family car surges past £100 for the first time, we talk petrol prices and why so many landlords are leaving the private rental market.

This week Laith Khalaf brings us some big markets news including the markets rebounding (much to the relief of investors), warnings about the pound’s decline, and an update on how energy firms handled that windfall tax announcement last week. Laura Suter is back, and delves into data on whether low-cost food has faced bigger price hikes during the cost of living crisis. She also chats to a financial adviser, Peter Chadborn of Plan Money, to help you understand when you might want to use one and the sort of questions you should be asking. And in this week’s investment interview, Tom Sieber chats to Duncan Ball, co-chief executive of BBGI Global Infrastructure. Infrastructure is highly prized for its inflation-protected income at the moment, and they chat about how that affects the fund’s portfolio.

This week, Laura Suter brings us the latest energy price cap news, with an explanation of what’s going to happen in the coming months. She also has a guide to how to squeeze the most out of your credit cards, and some good news for Premium Bond holders. Danni Hewson is here with all the markets news, including Snap’s profit warning, the impact of lifting tariffs in China as it emerges from lockdown, and the latest on those suggestions of a windfall tax. We’re dabbling in football this week, too, with news on the Chelsea takeover, and Danni will be looking at the latest retail figures. We also have pensions guru Tom Selby back with Pensions Corner, looking at the rules around auto-enrolment and how much you should actually be paying in. And Tom Sieber has an interview with property investment company Industrials REIT, following Amazon’s comments that it’s no longer chasing physical space.

On this week’s Money and Markets podcast, Danni Hewson is joined by Tom Sieber from Shares Magazine to look at what’s behind April’s huge price increases and how markets have been reacting. With high costs taking centre stage in earnings reports, Tom picks through updates – including from Mr Kipling maker Premier Foods, and US retail giant Walmart. Markets are going through a very difficult patch, and Dan Coatsworth picks the brains of someone who’s been through bad times as well as the good – James de Uphaugh from Liontrust Asset Management. He gives his insights into what investors should be thinking about right now. Though inflation is dominating sentiment, there’s plenty of other news moving markets this week. Danni and Tom look at the reaction to China’s announcement that Shanghai might soon end its lockdown, as well as a meeting between China’s Vice Premier and tech execs which seems to herald the end of the tech crackdown. With an eye on future returns, we also ask David Jane from Premier Miton about the trends he thinks will be important longer term. Plus, we’ve got the latest Twitter twist, plans to change how often the price cap is fixed, a massive upheaval in the crypto-verse, and Jenny Owen shares a mad money story about a charity donation of £100 that turned into £140,000.

Dan Coatsworth explains why stocks and shares continue to have a bad time and what might happen next. He also chats about takeover activity in the tobacco and property space, and why e-commerce companies have something to worry about. The UK continues to be fascinated by property prices, and we may now be at a turning point after several years of soaring activity. Laura Suter talks to Guy Harrington from property loan group GlenHawk about what he’s seeing in the market. And if you’ve ever wondered how analysts come up with buy, hold or sell ratings and how they create share price targets, don’t miss this episode, as Dan explains how it all works. Laura also has some important information on scams which featured in the Queens Speech.

On this week’s podcast, the big theme is rate hikes – in the UK, the US, and Australia. Danni Hewson also runs through all the markets news, including the impact Amazon’s results had on the US markets, and those calls for a windfall tax on the oil companies. Sticking with the energy company theme, Laura Suter delves into rumours of suppliers hiking direct debits by more than is fair – and tells you what to do if you’ve been a victim. And she’s starting her mini-series on how to get the most from your bank, kicking off with the best bank accounts for perks. If that wasn’t enough, Tom Sieber interviews Jupiter Green trust – an environmental solutions-focused fund – about greenwashing and the impact of the Ukraine conflict on global net zero ambitions.

On this week’s Money & Markets, Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson pull apart Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover plans. We look into his plans to pay for the platform, what he wants to do with it, and shareholder concern that Musk may be forced to sell some of his stake to finance his new venture. And looking over the first updates from ‘MAMAA’ stocks, we find it’s a mixed bag, with a sting in the outlook. With markets volatile over concern about more China lockdowns, Dan discusses investing in Asia. He casts his eye over Vietnam Holding – the fourth-best performing investment trust of all geographies, sectors and styles in 2021. And he gets the lowdown from Craig Martin, chairman of Dynam Capital, which makes all the portfolio decisions from the Trust. Also this week: Tom Selby hosts pensions corner – about the state pension, and when and how you qualify for pension credit. Plus, with another survey showing people are cutting back on their personal spend, should we actually be bullish about the retail sector long term?

Laura Suter talks to Emma Keywood about why AJ Bell has launched a new investment app called Dodl and how it might help people getting started with stocks and funds. Dan Coatsworth debates the problems facing Netflix and what it needs to do next. He also chats to Steven Tredget from Oakley Capital about the world of private equity and why more people are interested in this part of the investment universe. Laura gives some money-saving tips for travel fans, while AJ Bell’s Russ Mould joins the show to talk about the pros and cons of share buybacks.

On this week’s podcast we’ve got the latest inflation data, with Laura and Danni explaining what it means for us all. We also look at how companies are handling rising prices, from Tesco’s aisles to Asos’s online orders. Danni has the latest on another U-turn in the Elon Musk Twitter saga, and we check in on how the Easter travel chaos is panning out. We’ve also got two fund manager interviews for you. First, Danni chats to infrastructure investments specialist Giles Frost, at International Public Partnerships Infrastructure investment trust, about how his sector could be ideal in a high inflation world. And Dan talks to small companies pro Paul Marriage, from Tellworth, about how to spot the next big thing. Finally, Jenny Owen discusses people getting chips under their skin so they can pay for goods in shops using just their hands.

On this week’s Money & Markets podcast, Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson discuss Elon Musk’s newly acquired stake in Twitter and whether his appointment to the board will result in more changes than just an edit button. Dan digs into Moonpig’s uplift to its revenue outlook and Danni wonders who might be in the market for occasion wear retailer Ted Baker. The team also discuss the week’s volatility, with markets spooked by more Russia sanctions being on the table, and comments from Fed chair Lael Brainard that stronger action might be needed to curb US inflation. Laura Suter chats to Simon Stickney from Collidr about whether you can ever actually time the market, and we hear from Adrian Ash from BullionVault about whether gold is still the go-to safe haven, or if investors are looking at Bitcoin as an alternative. And on the subject of gold, Jenny Owen tells us how the Royal Mint’s looking to turn your old phone into the shiny stuff.

This week, Laith Khalaf brings us the latest markets news, including markets bouncing on potential Ukraine peace talks and Barclays taking a £450m hit to profits. Laith and Laura Suter also crunch the numbers on how much Rishi Sunak’s tax changes are actually going to cost you over the next few years. We also discuss Neil Woodford’s former protégé Mark Barnett making a return to fund management, after a year out. And Laura looks at a new savings account that actually pays an interest rate above 1% – but there’s a catch. Also on this episode, Dan Coatsworth has an interview about how the energy price cap and Russia/Ukraine crisis has impacted the energy industry. And finally, Laura and Tom Selby have a Lifetime ISA special, answering all of your questions about the end of the tax year.

Danni Hewson and Dan Coatsworth give their reactions to Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement, including the potential winners and losers from his announcement. Consumers, pensioners and businesses are all affected. Dan has good news for investors who remained patient throughout the recent global stock market sell-off, while Laura Suter gets some tips from RSM tax director Kate Aitchison on understanding HMRC’s tax rules and where people often get caught out. And Neil Shah from Edison Research is on the podcast to talk about the challenges facing London as the preferred destination for companies floating on the stock market.

On this week’s Money & Markets podcast, Danni Hewson is joined by Tom Sieber from Shares to discuss another volatile week for markets – facing not just the situation in Ukraine but another Covid lockdown in China. Tom explains the moves made by the Chinese government after shares tumbled in response, and Danni examines what’s going on with the oil price as various governments seek to shore up security of supply. As fuel prices rise at the pump, many motorists might be thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle. The boss of one charging company has suggested the switch will bring about the end of petrol stations as we know them. To find out more about the opportunities this may bring, Danni catches up with Andrew Jones, CEO of London Metric Property PLC, which is taking major steps forward when it comes to installing charging points on their properties, particularly their retail parks. And as the new tax year rushes towards us, our Head of Personal Finance Laura Suter and AJ Bell YouInvest’s pensions and savings expert Charlene Young get together to answer all of your ISA questions.

This week’s podcast explores how the latest events in Ukraine have moved global stock markets and how the war will have a big impact on the cost of living in the UK. Dan Coatsworth chats about some of the companies on the UK market which you might not realise have exposure to Russia. And Danni Hewson also talks to Neil Shah from Edison Research about companies severing ties with Russia. The podcast also explores the metaverse – Dan interviews Zehrid Osmani about this buzzword and how he's playing the theme via the Martin Currie Global Portfolio Trust. Finally, Laura Suter chats about Post Office accounts and how to beat forthcoming changes to dividend tax.

On this week’s Money and Markets podcast, Danni Hewson looks at how markets have reacted to the invasion of Ukraine, as company after company severs ties with Russia and sanctions begin to take effect. Laith Khalaf focuses on the suspension of many Russian-exposed funds and what that means if you’re invested, and he’s also been tracking the surge in value of crypto currency, plus calls for a ban on Russian transactions. With stock market volatility making some people nervous about their pensions, Tom Selby chats through what those ups and downs might really mean for the average pension holder, and he also answers another pensions’ corner question from a listener who spent a number of years living and working in Ukraine and wonders if that time might count towards their UK state pension. Plus, Dan Coatsworth has been talking to Chris McVey from Octopus Multi Cap UK Income fund, the best-performing UK equity income fund over the last three years. Chris explains why they’ve got a real bias towards small and mid-cap stocks. And with so much desperately awful news around, we’ve got Jenny Owen to bring us a touch of light relief at the end of the pod with a potted history of Cadbury’s Freddo Frog and its changing price tag.

On Money and Markets this week Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson assess what the situation in Ukraine could mean for markets, from soaring oil to falling share prices – as investors figure out which sectors stand to lose from increased sanctions. We also assess the latest financial updates from UK banks, and Dan chats to Neil Shelton from GXO – a huge name in global logistics – about all those supply chain issues we’ve heard so much about. You’ll learn how can you make money from music if you’re not a talented musician, as Paul Flood from Newton Investment management joins Danni to talk streaming and where investors can find opportunities. We also look at why house prices have jumped by the biggest amount in over 20 years despite rising interest rates. And Laura Suter catches up with Stephen Holiday, the boss of financial app Level, who thinks your employer might be able to help you with your saving goals.

Dan Coatsworth talks to Ken Wotton, manager of the Gresham House UK Multi Cap Income Fund about two companies which he believes could help consumers deal with inflationary pressures – Moneysupermarket.com and B&M. Laura Suter looks at the latest UK figures on the cost of living, and she explains why anyone who has been hoarding stamps for future use will need pay a visit to the Post Office to exchange them for new bar-coded ones. Get the latest update on global markets, with Dan looking at the impact of tensions between Russia and Ukraine on stocks and shares, the latest numbers from Airbnb, and a warning from Heineken about pushing up prices. Chris Mellor from Invesco explains how investors can access environmental themes using tracker funds, and Laura looks at UK green bonds where rates have become more generous. Finally, Dan talks with Simon Collins from Konexo about the rise of Dear CEO letters in the banking and insurance space, and why they are important.

On this week’s podcast, Laura Suter and Danni Hewson look at the energy market, where massive profits for big firms contrast uncomfortably with the nation’s steeply increasing gas and electricity bills. We also discuss the risk of Meta brands Facebook and Instagram disappearing from Europe, and holiday chat makes a long-awaited return as the travel markets heats up again. Elsewhere, Dan Coatsworth chats to Artemis Positive Future, a new fund that’s been caught up in the recent market sell-off. And Laura speaks to mortgage guru David Hollingworth about what last week’s interest rate rise means for homeowners.

On this week’s money and markets podcast Danni Hewson is joined by Tom Sieber from shares magazine to discuss what was almost the worst January ever for the tech heavy Nasdaq. Whilst many tech mega caps have fallen foul of market volatility Alphabet’s managed to escape largely unscathed after a seriously upbeat trading statement and the announcement of a 20:1 stock split that could make the tech giant’s shares affordable for retail investors. Mining giant Rio Tinto gave a master class in delivering bad news, Danni and Tom discuss how the report into toxic working practices was received by investors and how other miners might use it as a blueprint for delivering change as more focus is placed on ESG. Dan Coatsworth delivers our final round the world master class chatting to the manager of the Crux Asia ex-Japan Fund Ewan Markson Brown about the opportunities in Asia. Tom Selby tackles the thorny issue of how to find missing pensions and if you should consolidate them once you’ve tracked them down, plus Laith Khalaf and AJ Bell’s Chief Investment Officer Kevin Doran about the future of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies.

This week’s Money & Markets looks at the big rotation that’s happening in markets, as the tech giants fall out of favour and banking stocks are back in vogue. We talk to AJ Bell’s Ryan Hughes about what this means for big funds like Scottish Mortgage and Fundsmith, and how investors should react. We also hear from Temple Bar’s Ian Lance about the stocks that have been benefitting from this switch. Dan Coatsworth and Tom Sieber are back with the European edition of their Round the World investing series, talking to Sam Morse from Fidelity about the region’s prospects. Elsewhere Laura Suter looks at some surprising figures on how many first-time buyers have been getting on the property ladder. And the team have a very exciting announcement and competition for the listeners. So make sure you don’t miss that.

Inflation is dominating the headlines, so this week Laura Suter and Danni Hewson look at what the latest figures tell us and how they match up with wage figures. We also delve into the markets – this week saw deals galore, featuring the likes of Microsoft, Unilever and Boots. Pensions guru Tom Selby sifts through the latest pension announcements, including plans to make us all get more help deciphering pensions, and the eye-watering tax bills many pensioners are facing. Also this week, Dan Coatsworth and Tom Sieber are back with our Round the World investing series. This time they stay closer to home and look at the UK – speaking to NinetyOne fund manager Simon Glazier to get his hot tips on the market. And Jenny Owen is back to tell us what the nation’s ideal job looks like, and we also look at the latest crackdown on the cryptocurrency market.

Dan Coatsworth and Tom Sieber kick off a new series looking at ways to invest around the world. This week’s episode focuses on the US market, and features Artemis US Select Fund manager Cormac Weldon with his view on the region and outlook for 2022. Elsewhere, Danni Hewson looks at the latest inflation figures. She also explores the share price recovery in travel companies, and she talks to Jenny Owen about car prices. Finally, Dan dives into the latest annual shareholder letter from Fundsmith Equity manager Terry Smith, who has a few choice words to say about Unilever.

In the first podcast of 2022, we look at the big changes coming for your wallet this year, including tax tweaks, certain £50 notes becoming obsolete, and rising train fares. Laith Khalaf is on to discuss what happened with the markets over the Christmas period, and he also discusses the world’s first $3 TRILLION company. Tom Selby joins us to talk potential changes to when we can collect our old-age pension. And although fund managers are always keen to talk about their success stories, Tom Sieber talks to some about the investments that didn’t go to plan for them in 2021, including James Henderson and Murray Income manager Charles Luke.

In the final podcast of the year, Laura Suter, Dan Coatsworth and Tom Sieber discuss how investors fared in 2021, and pick out the year's best and worst performing investment trusts. Looking forward to 2022, we also round up leading fund managers – including Blue Whale’s Stephen Yiu and Michael O’Brien from Fundsmith – to talk about the stocks they’re putting their money behind. Jenny Owen is back with Mad Money, looking at the millions you could have made investing in mad trends this year. And Dan and Tom get misty-eyed looking back at the great investment stories of the year, including Dan’s favourite clothes shop soaring and Elon Musk’s ridiculous antics.

On this week’s episode, Danni Hewson talks about the impact Omicron is still having on markets – in particular, what it means for a potential interest rate rise next week – but has some positive news for us from retailers. We also look at the ongoing Evergrande saga, and how China is managing the issue. Laura Suter talks about how rising house prices are particularly hitting Lifetime ISA savers, and may leave them with a hefty bill, while Tom Selby assesses how LISAs stack up against a pension as a retirement savings option, in Pension Corner. As Christmas gets closer, we also look at the monetary gifts people are planning to give this year, and who is keeping gift cards alive. And Laura speaks to Prakash Chandramohan from TISA about how more younger people can get into investing.

This week’s Money & Markets podcast is almost all about Omicron – the covid variant that’s put quite a fear up global markets, especially on last week’s ‘Red Friday’. Danni Hewson, Dan Coatsworth and Tom Sieber discuss how concerns about the new strain sparked a massive sell off, and the aftershocks which have kept on coming. Unsurprisingly, airlines and travel companies were among the biggest fallers, and there’s been massive volatility in the oil price too, as investors weigh up how demand might be affected over the next few months. We also look at what’s going on with vaccine makers as they suss out exactly how efficacious their drugs will be against this new variant. Plus, all the drama surrounding BT which looks to be in the middle of a takeover battle, and some big news from big tech – Twitter has a new boss and Facebook’s parent company Meta has been ordered to sell off the newly acquired Giphy by the UK’s competitions regulator. And with inflation expected to keep rising next year, some investors are starting to wonder if they really need to take the risk of being in the market to get an income. To discuss this, and to get the latest on dividends from the stock market, Dan talks to James Harries who manages the Troy Global Income Fund.

In this week’s podcast, Laith Khalaf explains the Bank of England’s plan to introduce a digital currency dubbed ‘Britcoin’ by the media, while Laura Suter gives some helpful hints on how to cut the cost of borrowing. She also explains what to do if you’re a customer of failed energy provider Bulb, and chats about a new 3.5% savings bond – what are the pros and cons of putting your money into such a product? Dan Coatsworth explains why Royal Mail is exciting shareholders and annoying customers. He also considers why AO has gone from stock market hero to zero, and why certain countries are dipping into their strategic oil reserves. You’ll also find out which companies might soon be entering or leaving the FTSE 100 index, and why Amazon has decided to stop accepting payment via Visa credit cards in the UK. Elsewhere, Danni Hewson talks to Ecofin US Renewables Infrastructure Trust about investing in windfarms, as well as COP26 and how the US is transitioning to clean energy. Finally, Jenny Owen has been watching a record-breaking auction in Paris, involving manuscripts from Albert Einstein which have just sold for big bucks.

This week we’re delving into the latest shockingly good jobs figures, and what they might mean for the Bank of England’s hotly anticipated decision on interest rates next month. Elsewhere in markets news, Danni Hewson looks at drinks giant Diageo’s bid for global dominance, Shell’s shift to UK shores, and whether markets really cared about a meeting between US president Joe Biden and China president Xi Jinping. Laura Suter is on, and gives an update on the latest Government wrangling over pensioner pay, and how the controversial Buy Now Pay Later market has been changing ahead of tougher regulation. Following on from COP 26, we’ve an interview with green bank Triodos. You’ll hear their thoughts on the rise in green banking, and how exactly you can have an environmentally friendly current account. And if that’s not enough, Jenny Owen makes an appearance, with news of popstars making millions from virtual money in video games.

On this week’s Money & Markets podcast, Dan Coatsworth looks at market reaction to a new Covid treatment pill from Pfizer, and weighs the latest winners and losers from the week’s slew of earnings updates. Danni Hewson examines the sparkle that’s back at Marks and Spencer, as well as a return to form for Primark. And what’s with Elon Musk’s social survey? We dig into the Tesla boss’s poll that sent the electric car maker’s share price tumbling. Dan catches up with Bill Ackman – the man who made a fortune betting on the stock market. His latest gamble is on Universal Music, and we’ve been finding out why. Plus, Tom Selby is back with another pensions’ corner: assessing the latest government U-turn on the national minimum pension age changes and what it means for you.

On the 10th anniversary of Junior ISAs, the podcast looks at the most popular investments held inside these accounts including Tesla and Scottish Mortgage. There is an odd one out: and Dan Coatsworth thinks he knows why. Laura Suter looks at how mortgages are getting more expensive, and what homeowners can do to avoid their bills getting too big. Dan runs through the latest market news, including Terry Smith’s decision to finally invest in Amazon, and why THG and Darktrace have gone off the boil. He also chats about the forthcoming stock market listing of electric vehicle group Rivian and why two FTSE 100 chief executives have just resigned. Michael Topham from Biffa is on the show to explain the acquisition of the Company Shop, which helps household goods manufacturers to sell mislabelled products that might have otherwise gone in the bin. The venture also gives something back to the community and has special shops for key workers. Finally, Jenny Owen discusses things that go bang in the dark – namely fireworks and how we’re spending big on them.

On this week’s podcast we’ve delved into the finer details of the Budget and picked apart the Government’s documents so you don’t have to. We reveal all the things you need to know and how the Budget will impact your finances. Tom Sieber looks at how markets reacted to the news and the impact on businesses, while Laith Khalaf digs into the big economic numbers and looks at how the economy is doing as we emerge from the pandemic. Tom Selby looks at how pensioners fared in the Budget, and finds a small nugget that might help those on lower pay who are contributing to their pension, while Laura Suter looks at how reforms to the alcohol taxes might make us all a bit merrier this winter. We also look at the big announcements on Universal Credit, the rise to the minimum wage and whether people will actually be better off.

On this week’s edition of the Money & Markets podcast, Danni Hewson and Tom Sieber asses the winners and losers of earnings season to date and consider whether UK banks will perform as well as their cousins in the US. AJ Bell’s Head of Investment Analysis, Laith Khalaf looks at the latest inflation figures which might have bought the Bank of England some breathing space despite odds of an interest rate rise next month now being actively priced in by investors. The team look ahead to next week’s budget with much of the detail already in the public domain, what else might the Chancellor have up his sleeve? Laura Suter chats to Robin Powell who is a big fan of passive investing and has just written a book called Invest Your Way to Financial Freedom: A Simple Guide to Everything You Need to Know, which aims to get more young people into investing. Plus, how a Korean cult TV programme called “Squid Game” helped put Netflix back on track when it comes to subscriber numbers.

Laura Suter puts some numbers on how rising costs are affecting everyday life. She also gives some tips on how to put some controls on a contactless debit card to avoid reckless spending. Tom Selby chats about a new study that considers the amount of money someone might need in retirement. He’s also back with another round of ‘pensions corner’, answering a listener’s question. Dan Coatsworth discusses the big sell-off in THG and ASOS shares and why the recovery in Chinese equities has hit a new bump in the road. He also talks to Charles Glasse from Waverton Asset Management about investment opportunities in European infrastructure and retail companies. Finally, if you’ve ever wondered about the value of old statues in people’s gardens, you’ll definitely want to hear what Jenny Owen has to say on this week’s podcast.

This week we discuss all the changes that October is bringing, as the Government winds up much of its financial support for the pandemic, from furlough to the stamp duty holiday. We also look at the impact rising gas prices are having on businesses, as well as the latest supply chain problems companies are encountering. Danni Hewson chats to the head of a London property empire, Brian Bickell of Shaftesbury, about emerging from lockdown and the impact it’s had on his business. We also look at why you need to raid your piggy banks for old notes and an intriguing offer of free food and money for students. Finally, we discuss the impact the social media outage of 2021 had on us, and on markets.

On this week’s podcast Dan Coatsworth takes a look at what’s behind the UK’s petrol shortages and the rising cost of energy which has already brought a number of small suppliers to their knees. Inflation concerns have been causing jitters on markets, and some investors seem to be considering their portfolios after a sell off of some fast-growth companies and a surge in bond yields. Danni Hewson has been digging through the latest update from retail ‘class swot’ Next, which has raised its profits guidance for a fourth time this year. But despite being at the forefront of the move to ‘hybrid’ retail, Next isn’t immune to current supply issues, warning that prices are rising and that it’s worried about finding enough labour to keep its slick delivery operation working smoothly. AJ Bell’s Head of Investment Analysis Laith Khalaf has been assessing the growing part ethics is playing in investor decision-making ahead of ‘Good Money Week’, which aims to raise awareness of ethical finance. He’s got the lowdown on how those funds have performed and exactly how much ‘greenwashing’ goes on when companies lay out their ESG credentials. Plus, the new number aimed at preventing fraud, and as the latest Bond film makes its long-awaited debut, we look at how cinemas are recovering, while Dan’s got some crazy stats from 007’s world.

Dan Coatsworth explains in simple terms why troubles at Evergrande – one of China’s biggest property developers – matter to investors in the UK and around the world. Laura Suter looks at the reasons behind the big spike in energy prices and what to do if your energy provider goes bust. Richard Penny from Crux Asset Management gives his views of what might happen with stock markets in 2022. Netflix has bought the rights to Roald Dahl books and Dan explains why this is a very important move by the streaming TV provider. Dan also reveals why shares in British Airways’ owner have shot up by 25% in just five days. Laura looks at the launch of Chase’s first retail bank account in the UK and why it is different to other accounts on the market. And Jenny Owen is on the show to talk prime real estate – she’s spotted an island for sale for £50,000.